Esmirada (Orchard Hotel)

It was a bit difficult to find the restaurant, as I thought it was part of the Orchard Hotel. It’s actually just located in front of it, facing the road and there’s Al Fresco as well as indoor dining (air-conditioned). We were a bit confused at first and walked the wrong way towards the side which has Tony Roma’s and Muddy Murphys.

I think it would be good to make a reservation and specify you want a booth seat by the window which is what I should have done. I found the seats we got a little too stool like and not too comfortable for a leisurely sit down meal.

My assessment of the place is that the ambience was lovely. The stone floors, low lighting, candles, paintings and the friendly serving staff dressed in frilly orange tops, added to the feel good factor, although one of them accidentally stepped on my toe while leaning over to serve the kebab (but I didn’t let out a peep, because I knew it was an accident and she probably thought my toe was the floor).

This is the fourth paella we’ve had and B thinks it’s the best. I thought the one at Vivo City (Serenity) was slightly better. But we both agree we didn’t enjoy the one we had at Marche (VivoCity) in comparison. I’m not talking about authenticity, just our personal preference. For all I know the most authentic one may have been our least favourite? What we had at the Farmer’s Market at Dempsey Hill was a close second to the one we had at Esmirada.

The pita bread and hummus was really good, especially the warm pita bread which will appeal to all bread lovers. We actually ordered a second basket but actually we shouldn’t have as we felt too stuffed after and could not finish the lovely baked potato with sour cream that came with the chicken kebab.

This was the bill in Singapore dollars which came up to $86.50 with taxes:

1 Chicken Kebab – $28
1 Hummus/ Baba Ghanouj – $15.50
1 Parlla Espanola – $30
1 Pita Bread – $5 (the extra serving we should not have ordered)
1 San Pellegrino – $8 (I would have preferred just ordinary iced water but I was not sure if they served it)

Beautiful surroundings.

photo by bookjunkie

Loved the pretty orange stone crockery.

photo by bookjunkie

Friendly unobtrusive wait staff allowing you to have a pleasant conversation without constant interruption.

photo by bookjunkie

A family of eight could have a cosy dinner here.

photo by bookjunkie

My sister would have loved the pita bread that came with the hummus.

photo by bookjunkie

photo by bookjunkie

Two kinds of dip and I preferred this bean one.

photo by bookjunkie

Paella is really a beautiful dish with all those warm colours.

photo by bookjunkie

The presentation of the chicken kebab was lovely.

photo by bookjunkie

Wish we had more room for the baked potato with sour cream. We were just too full at that point.

photo by bookjunkie

What Esmirada looks like from the outside. From the Orchard Hotel Lobby entrance, exit and turn to your left.

photo by bookjunkie

There was a bit of a Halloween touch at Orchard Hotel and I saw waitresses in cute witches outfits. They looked adorable with the pointy black hats and I wish I could have taken a better photo but I didn’t want to be too intrusive.

2 Responses to Esmirada (Orchard Hotel)

At first when I read the prices I was thinking, holy crap that is expensive. $15 for hummus and baba ghanouj? Maybe it is because I am used to going to more casual Mediterranean restaurants. But then I saw the way the chicken kabob was presented and I thought, well, I’d pay a bit extra for that. The pita bread looks awesome though.